1 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:58,360 Last year, in October, in the weld shop,during the B shift at 11:15 at night, 2 00:01:58,520 --> 00:02:02,520 one manager kicked one of the workers. 3 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:07,600 The next day, the workers in A shiftstopped work at 9 o'clock in the morning, 4 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:10,000 in protest against the incident of kicking. 5 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:14,560 Only after the manager who had kickedapologised in front of all the workers, 6 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,360 the work began again at 2:00 in the afternoon. 7 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:22,000 The workers of the B shift also stopped work. 8 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:28,120 The manager apologised again and only thenthe work started at 7:30 in the evening, 9 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:33,960 As a consequence of the one day stoppage of work,a loss of Rs. 80,000,000 in production. 10 00:05:03,360 --> 00:05:05,720 Is it difficult to find workin the village as a plummer? 11 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,840 It was because work became unavailablein the village that I had to come out here. 12 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:14,760 In the village there are people to do thefarming, so why should we sit around without work? 13 00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:18,440 So we think, let us get out. So we came here. 14 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:27,120 It is a small town. There are so many trainedplumbers that you cannot find work. 15 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:32,160 That's why I came here, otherwise Iwould have continued to live there. 16 00:05:32,680 --> 00:05:37,000 Can you show me one time whatyou do at the hand press? 17 00:05:56,760 --> 00:06:03,720 Do you know where do these productsgo after you have done this work? 18 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:08,360 My business is to do thework and give it to the owner. 19 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:12,320 What could this be? 20 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:14,600 It is for a car - Maruti. 21 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:19,720 So you work for Maruti Suzuki? 22 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:25,720 In Maruti, workers get Rs. 30,000per month and you work for Maruti? 23 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:34,320 We make the pieces for Maruti. If wedon't do this, how will the make Maruti? 24 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:29,720 How old are you? 25 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:32,120 I am 17. 26 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,880 But I was desperate, and I told a lie at the job 27 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:40,040 It is so difficult in my family.There is no one to earn 28 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:42,880 except me and my older sister. 29 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:47,680 My father lives, but he has knee problems.He does not work. 30 00:08:47,800 --> 00:08:53,040 I have a younger brother. We are educating him. 31 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:58,520 So I told them at work that I was 19. 32 00:08:58,680 --> 00:09:01,600 That's how I got the Job. 33 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:04,000 Otherwise they would not have let me. 34 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:06,560 Was your first job in a factory? 35 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:11,600 Yes. It was an export company.I learnt the work there. 36 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:13,680 You learnt sewing work? 37 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:16,600 Actually, I had learnt sewing workin the village for 2 years. 38 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:18,600 Then I had to learn it here again. 39 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,240 You started to learn sewingwhen you were 14 years old. 40 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,920 No, when I was 12 when I started. 41 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:33,040 In the factory the first 2-3 months are aprobation period, so you had to work very hard? 42 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:34,880 How many hours did you work? 43 00:09:34,920 --> 00:09:39,360 For 6 months I worked continuouslyfrom 9:00 a. m. to 1:00 a. m. 44 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:41,640 There was no holiday? 45 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:44,160 No, there was no holiday. 46 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:49,000 Because of that I had health problems - breathingproblems. I had to be treated for 1 year. 47 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:52,160 What do you do?- Operator. 48 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,160 Do you make a whole shirt or just one part? 49 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:55,640 One part. 50 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:58,400 How long have you been working in this factory? 51 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,000 For 6 months. 52 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:03,480 Where did you work before? 53 00:10:03,560 --> 00:10:08,240 Before that I worked in another factory. Brown. 54 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:11,560 What do they make? 55 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:14,080 Medicines. 56 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:21,720 Why have you left the jobin the pharmaceutical company? 57 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:26,760 Because I did not earn much money. 58 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,040 How much?- Rs 2,500. 59 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:31,800 And I had to work a lot. 60 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:35,240 My bones used to hurt. 61 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:41,840 Then I had to work with medicines.I did not like it. I felt I could not breathe. 62 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:46,360 What do you earn per month? 63 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:50,760 For an 8 hour day, Rs 4,200 per month. 64 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:56,160 You give all your salary to your family? 65 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:59,840 Can you keep some money for yourself? 66 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,240 I give all the money to my family. 67 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:07,320 I keep about Rs. 400-500 for myself. 68 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:11,000 The rest I give. 69 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:17,520 So you get Rs. 5,500. What are your expenses?What rent do you pay? 70 00:11:17,640 --> 00:11:19,560 Rs. 850 71 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,600 But you live together with someone? 72 00:11:22,760 --> 00:11:27,280 We are three, so my rent costs are Rs. 300. 73 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:33,840 What do you need for living costs? 74 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:39,040 For food I manage in Rs. 2,000 - Rs, 2,200. 75 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:42,680 If you smoke and drink, those expensescan be increased as much as you want. 76 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:48,680 But I live simply so I manage within Rs. 2000. 77 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:54,400 Apart from this, for medicine? 78 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:58,080 If we fall ill, there is no tellinghow much money we will need. 79 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:00,520 One does not know what the doctors will charge. 80 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:05,280 But how much money can youapproximately save in a month? 81 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:12,440 About Rs. 3,000. If someone earns Rs. 6,000,he can save Rs. 3,500. 82 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:21,040 If someone earns Rs. 4,000,they can save Rs. 2,000. 83 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:25,360 Do you send money to the village? 84 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:28,400 Yes, I have to send some to my parents. 85 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:33,480 In Delhi it is quite difficult to find work. 86 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:38,040 The population is growing so muchthat there is shortage of employment. 87 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:43,040 I have a home in Delhi,but i am forced to live in a room here - 88 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:47,480 for the sake of work, for money. 89 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:51,880 How many hours do you work? 90 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:57,840 8 hours a day and after that - overtime.Till midnight. 91 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:01,200 Sometimes it can take the whole night. 92 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:05,720 Or 4 hrs overtime daily. We get single overtime. 93 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:07,760 Usually single overtime? 94 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:09,680 Most single. 95 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:14,320 Sometimes for two hours we get double- only for 2 hours. 96 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:16,920 Is is usual to work for 12 hrs? 97 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,160 Yes, 12 hrs is usual for everybody. 98 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:23,920 Whether it is a helper or somebody else.It is usual to work 12 hrs. 99 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:26,720 What is your normal salary per month? 100 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:33,160 Normally, it is Rs. 6000-7000.Including overtime and everything else. 101 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:36,160 What do the helpers get? 102 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:40,080 Rs. 3500 - 3800. 103 00:13:40,120 --> 00:13:48,120 Including night shifts and overtime it comes toabout Rs. 5000 - 5500. 104 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:54,880 In the factory there are peoplefrom Bihar and other areas. 105 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:59,320 Does this create a problem between people?Any tension? 106 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:04,240 No. No tension between people. 107 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:08,320 Everybody works together like brothers.Nothing like that. 108 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:09,680 Good. 109 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,680 Everybody lives together. 110 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:17,120 In companies there are some troubles- because of work and money. 111 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:21,480 We do not get fair payment. 112 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:36,960 In Bangladesh,the anger of the workers erupted again. 113 00:14:37,000 --> 00:14:43,040 In a factory in the central region of Bangladesh,dispute over outstanding wage, 114 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:49,080 increase in wages and reappointment in jobs,took a violent turn on 27 June. 115 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:55,840 Some bosses were beaten up. The policereleased tear gas shells to disperse the crowds. 116 00:14:55,880 --> 00:15:03,680 Workers blocked the National Highway.The auxiliary force of the police fired bullets. 117 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:10,320 One worker was killed. The workers frommany factories came out on the roads. 118 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:18,320 Most of the workers from Dhaka area were on theroads, but work was going on in some factories. 119 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:27,240 These factories became the targets of the workers'attacks, and 50 factories were set on fire. 120 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:42,240 So after working for 16 hours,how does your body and mind feel? 121 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:47,960 It is very simple. If we work hard for 16 hours,we go straight to bed and sleep. 122 00:15:48,040 --> 00:15:53,720 We eat and drink whatever is there- hot or cold - and go to sleep. 123 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:59,800 If we feel exhausted, we go and get a medicinefor bodyache and go back to our job. 124 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:03,360 If you don't turn up for the job,you will get thrown out. 125 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:07,640 If you get to work in time, they will enteryour attendance, then they make you work. 126 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:12,240 And when they make you work - if the day beforeI worked in the company till 2:00 a.m., 127 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:17,400 and my body hurts - it does not matter.They make you work as much as any other day. 128 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,680 What pains do you have in your body? 129 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:25,000 With the body, it is that suddenlymy stomach started to hurt. 130 00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:29,960 I took a tablet and went to the company. 131 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:37,200 Once I sit at my machine,but if my output is less, this does not suit him. 132 00:16:37,360 --> 00:16:41,000 He wants to get maximum work,according to the target. 133 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,960 He wants to have as much targetfrom me today as he had yesterday. 134 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,600 Do you have other complaints besides the stomach? 135 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:54,000 There are many complaints.They do not give us clean water to drink. 136 00:16:54,240 --> 00:17:00,480 By drinking dirty waterwe catch a cold, or get a fever 137 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:05,360 and headache and many things go on in or insides.We get all kinds of illnesses. 138 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:09,400 Also because of the lack of hygiene in the toilets,we get health problems too 139 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:15,600 - malaria, tubercolosis or something else. 140 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:26,280 If you work 16 hrs non stop, without properfood and rest, it is simple - you will get tb. 141 00:17:29,160 --> 00:17:31,760 So when do you get rest? 142 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:44,160 We go to the company at 9:00 and after 16 hoursof duty we finish at the company at 1:00 a.m. 143 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:47,800 It takes us 20 - 30 minutes to come to our room. 144 00:17:48,120 --> 00:17:54,280 Then we go to bed.These 4-5 hours are what we get for rest. 145 00:17:54,720 --> 00:18:02,080 This work is hard work. What do you think,how many more years can you work like this? 146 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:05,720 The situation as it is in my house. 147 00:18:05,840 --> 00:18:12,720 In my family, I have registeredmy children for school and college. 148 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:17,800 To educate them them and keep them well,to clothe them, 149 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:23,200 I will have to work,even though it is a lot of stress for me. 150 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,600 It might kill me but I will keep working.It is like this. 151 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:30,280 For others, for our parents - for their poverty, 152 00:18:30,360 --> 00:18:33,440 to give them money for food,this is why I must earn. 153 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:38,360 Yes, this is how you think.But what does your body say? 154 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:41,240 The body does not co-operate. 155 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:45,480 How can the body co-operate,because you take 16 hours work from it. 156 00:18:45,760 --> 00:18:51,680 If you work with the body properly andgive it proper rest, there is no problem. 157 00:18:51,920 --> 00:19:00,360 But it is very simple.We get Rs. 4000 - Rs. 4300 salary. 158 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:05,960 If the company does not give us overtime work, 159 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:11,640 just Rs. 2,000 is the cost of our room and food. 160 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:15,520 If on top of thatwe take away Rs. 500 for other costs, 161 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:21,640 then Rs 1000 - Rs 1500 are left. 162 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:25,400 And we cannot do anything with that. 163 00:19:25,520 --> 00:19:30,480 So we do overtime in the interestof earning more money. 164 00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:35,560 And we think this will solvethe economic problem of our family. 165 00:19:37,480 --> 00:19:39,840 That's why. 166 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:44,080 And the older you get,the less capable you are of working. 167 00:19:44,200 --> 00:19:49,120 Now, when I am 40, I will not be able tosee the sewing, I will be practically blind. 168 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:55,400 Because the threads are fine - it is detailed work. 169 00:19:55,640 --> 00:20:03,160 So I have to think what I will do after this.Some people go back to the village and do farming. 170 00:21:27,880 --> 00:21:29,680 What's your name? 171 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:31,720 Jawaharlal 172 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:34,440 When did you come to Faridabad? 173 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:36,600 1970 174 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:40,440 There was a strike in 1977. 175 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:43,960 In that strike,I was the General Secretary of the AITUC Union. 176 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:47,920 Then I was thrown out.Then I was full time with the CPI. 177 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:51,800 Then I joined CPM full time. 178 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:55,560 After that I worked for the Naxalite movement. 179 00:21:55,600 --> 00:22:02,680 In 1979 we formed a resistance committee 180 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:05,320 and we worked through that. 181 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:10,360 We brought the whole ofFaridabad to a stop in 1979. 182 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:13,160 What happened then? 183 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:19,760 When we stopped work in Faridabad in 1979, 184 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:23,240 guns were fired in which many workers were killed. 185 00:22:23,480 --> 00:22:27,200 At that time, the Bhajan Lal Congress government, 186 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:30,280 ordered the gunfire. 187 00:22:30,440 --> 00:22:35,440 The guns were fired at the Neelam square 188 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:45,360 which we today call the Martyr Square.The workers became martyrs. 189 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:48,040 How many people died? 190 00:22:48,120 --> 00:22:51,240 The count was not correct. 191 00:22:51,320 --> 00:22:55,640 The government said 17 people had died. 192 00:22:55,720 --> 00:23:01,560 The workers also foughtand a police officer was hurt. 193 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:06,600 His pistol was snatched.Other policemen were also beaten up. 194 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:11,000 How many people do you think died? 195 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:17,000 The workers said thatabout 150-175 people had been killed. 196 00:23:17,160 --> 00:23:20,080 But the government made the dead bodies disappear. 197 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:22,520 Because there were many arrests, 198 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:27,840 in fear, the protest went down a littlefor some days. 199 00:23:28,120 --> 00:23:32,920 We could not find out,whose dead bodies were missing. 200 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:38,200 After that the workers' movement declined, 201 00:23:38,520 --> 00:23:41,520 automation was introduced in the companies 202 00:23:41,720 --> 00:23:44,120 and the number of workers decreased. 203 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:48,840 Many factories closed, 204 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:52,600 a large number of textile factories closed 205 00:23:52,680 --> 00:23:55,160 and unemployment increased. 206 00:23:55,440 --> 00:24:02,600 Many factories were computerized. 207 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:09,840 Many workers became unemployed, 208 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:17,480 and workers went back to their villages. 209 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:21,320 The factories started subcontracting. 210 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:24,200 So the movement went back. 211 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:29,000 Permanent work was reduced. 212 00:24:29,120 --> 00:24:31,800 People started to work on contracts. 213 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:37,160 So they did not have any sense of struggle, 214 00:24:37,280 --> 00:24:43,000 They think: "We do not have any legal rightsor any other right 215 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:46,520 so we can not fight for ourselves". 216 00:24:46,600 --> 00:24:50,320 So they did not protest about anything. 217 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:53,440 Only a permanent worker can fight. 218 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:58,120 Now they see that they cannoteven get a job in subcontracting. 219 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:01,640 So their militancy has become weak. 220 00:26:55,200 --> 00:27:00,800 You have been working in this industryfor such a long time. 221 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:04,080 Did you ever go on strike, yourself? 222 00:27:04,320 --> 00:27:06,440 It is not possible. 223 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:11,880 In whichever company we strike, they willthrow everybody out and employ somebody else. 224 00:27:13,120 --> 00:27:15,360 Now they are dishonest withthe payments of the workers. 225 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:17,640 If the worker says something, they threaten him. 226 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:23,000 The police people, or the law or the courts- they look after the people with money. 227 00:27:23,120 --> 00:27:25,560 Nobody listens to the poor. 228 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:29,360 So how will a poor person stand up against thosewho have money? You must think of this problem. 229 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:33,720 It is like this - if something happens,we take forward a complaint. 230 00:27:33,760 --> 00:27:37,520 After the complaint somelegal process is conducted. 231 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:40,880 Then the people from the company bribe himand suppress the complaint. 232 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:47,120 Then everything stays the same.- So there is nobody to listen to us. 233 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:56,080 If we try to take any step, after consideration,that action is broken before we can take it. 234 00:27:57,040 --> 00:28:00,880 When we think of this,we are not able to take any steps. 235 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:07,600 We have come from far. We work for Rs. 4,000,and pay Rs. 3,000 for the room. 236 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:10,440 If we take any step our payments get stuck. 237 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:14,960 Later we find out our room has been lockedand we have no money to pay the fare to go home. 238 00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:25,200 Do you talk to one another aboutthis situation with the neighbours? 239 00:28:25,280 --> 00:28:29,720 Yes, we talk.- But what he means is who will support us. 240 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:35,800 If we talk here among ourselves, it does not help.We should have strong contacts further on. 241 00:28:36,200 --> 00:28:48,120 If we have a problem, suppose four of usgo and complain. What can four do? - Nothing! 242 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:54,680 If we have a contact further on,we can go to them. 243 00:28:54,960 --> 00:28:57,800 But we have nothing like this. 244 00:28:58,520 --> 00:29:01,760 Many companies also employ gangsters. 245 00:29:02,600 --> 00:29:07,520 So the worker who prostests too much gets beaten up- on the road, or inside the company, 246 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:15,440 in the neighbourhood, in the market- these types of gangsters. 247 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:31,720 What can you do to improve the situation? 248 00:29:31,840 --> 00:29:34,400 Do you have any suggestion? 249 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:38,200 To make things better we must make a union.We must have membership. 250 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:45,200 Then we can complain about unfair treatment.Then the union will act. 251 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:48,720 What if you complain in the company? 252 00:29:48,840 --> 00:29:58,280 Nobody listens. The government does not listen.They are all corrupt. 253 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:04,680 Can't you complain to the LC, the Labour Commissioner? 254 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:08,600 The Labour Commissioners are allsold out to the big industries. 255 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:11,440 The company buys them. 256 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:15,800 If a worker complains, the Commissioners inform thecompany that some worker came to make a complaint. 257 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:19,960 That worker gets thrown outand nothing else happens. 258 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:27,200 If somebody else complainsthey throw them out too. 259 00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:30,440 So there is no way of complaining? 260 00:30:30,560 --> 00:30:32,800 We do not have a permanent job. 261 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:38,560 If we want to work, if we open our mouths,we open the lock - straight out. 262 00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:45,800 If we talk, we are out.If we want to work, we must stay quiet. 263 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:57,800 How long does it take for a machinist to get a job?One month, two months? 264 00:30:58,080 --> 00:31:04,240 For as long as there is work.If there is no work, they remove you. 265 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:18,280 They make us sign the resignation papersbeforehand - when we join - 266 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:29,640 so that we can be thrown out any time. 267 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:52,800 Such steps are often talked about, which todayit is not possible for an ordinary worker to make. 268 00:31:52,920 --> 00:31:56,520 That is why very little happens. 269 00:31:56,680 --> 00:31:59,320 One negative effect of this 270 00:31:59,480 --> 00:32:08,680 is that we blame ourselves and lament our situation. 271 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:13,920 It is therfore of primary importanceto get out of this trap. 272 00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:17,680 When deciding on an action,it is necessary to keep in mind 273 00:32:17,840 --> 00:32:22,880 that everyone is surrounded by constraints. 274 00:32:22,960 --> 00:32:30,480 The only difference is that some havea little more and some a little less constraints. 275 00:32:30,640 --> 00:32:34,360 It is necessary to see one another as affected, 276 00:32:34,440 --> 00:32:37,800 and move together as fellow sufferers. 277 00:32:37,960 --> 00:32:43,720 The steps themselves are very simple - like straws. 278 00:32:43,840 --> 00:32:49,640 A nest made from strawsbecomes a strong, protected area. 279 00:32:49,720 --> 00:32:56,240 And every bird can easilypick straws and join them. 280 00:33:45,280 --> 00:33:49,120 We started these meetings becausewe started to feel our weakness. 281 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:51,120 He used to fire us one by one. 282 00:33:51,200 --> 00:33:55,400 While we were working sometimes this one wasthrown out of the gate sometimes that one. 283 00:33:55,520 --> 00:33:57,880 We started to meet to form unity. 284 00:33:57,960 --> 00:34:02,240 If there is unity, if he does somethingto one person, everybody will react. 285 00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:05,680 This will make a difference.This is why we have this meeting. 286 00:34:06,080 --> 00:34:09,520 So you were made redundant in 2005? 287 00:34:09,720 --> 00:34:18,680 Yes in 2005. Then on 25 January 2006,he employed us again. 288 00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:22,440 What happened between that time? 289 00:34:22,600 --> 00:34:38,800 We put posters about this- on the site, at Jantarmantar, ITO, 290 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:45,280 Connaught Place, Sujan Singh Park, Nehru Place. 291 00:34:49,880 --> 00:34:53,520 We wanted to get the ordinary workers on our side. 292 00:34:53,640 --> 00:34:58,440 We wanted to tell them that this company is doing such and such with us. 293 00:34:58,920 --> 00:35:00,360 That's all. 294 00:35:02,280 --> 00:35:12,520 In America too there was a protestin front of the company's shop. 295 00:35:12,760 --> 00:35:16,040 How effective was this? 296 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:21,160 We used that incident for maximum impact here. We told everyone. 297 00:35:21,320 --> 00:35:28,640 Because all the goods of our companyare sold there. 298 00:35:28,640 --> 00:35:33,720 There, flyers were distributed about the problem. 299 00:35:33,720 --> 00:35:37,360 So whoever read the paper, 300 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:43,640 for example the retailers who buy the products, ... 301 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:50,960 ...when they found out, they putpressure and this had more effect. 302 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:58,240 Then the owner came overand made an agreement with us. 303 00:35:59,440 --> 00:36:06,800 But before this incident, you were membersof the union INTU... - no, IFTU. 304 00:36:07,120 --> 00:36:15,680 What was your experience with the union? 305 00:36:16,320 --> 00:36:23,360 We thought that when we got fired,the union will perhaps get us back our jobs. 306 00:36:23,600 --> 00:36:27,000 But we find this union a little wrong. 307 00:36:27,240 --> 00:36:34,320 They mix with the owners and make usshout slogans and we find that useless. 308 00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:36,440 They look after their own selfish interests. 309 00:36:36,560 --> 00:36:38,520 Are they with the owners? 310 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:43,320 In the sense that when a person is thrown out, theysend you to this company or that to demonstrate. 311 00:36:43,600 --> 00:36:47,800 They are most selfish - these leaders.I don't like this. 312 00:36:50,560 --> 00:36:56,040 When we put up posters,one leader turned against us. 313 00:36:56,120 --> 00:36:59,680 So the union was opposed to posters? 314 00:36:59,760 --> 00:37:07,600 Yes. They said either we should put their logoon the posters IFTU, and wave their flag. 315 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:14,280 They wanted to make a name for themselves. 316 00:37:15,040 --> 00:37:22,560 They would have got known throughthe posters, now we got known. 317 00:37:22,600 --> 00:37:26,360 This is why they were making a fussabout why IFTU was not on the posters. 318 00:37:29,240 --> 00:37:33,160 So the meeting became very important? 319 00:37:33,240 --> 00:37:37,560 Yes, the meeting has always been very important. 320 00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:40,880 It is now 8-9 years. We meet every Sunday. 321 00:37:41,160 --> 00:37:47,040 It is so that whatever work we do during the week,and whatever happens to us, we talk about it here. 322 00:37:47,600 --> 00:37:56,840 And how we can find solutions, we talkamong us here, and then work accordingly. 323 00:37:57,440 --> 00:38:01,800 So the meeting is good for us inevery circumstance. It is necessary. 324 00:38:03,840 --> 00:38:11,560 In order that none of us - no young boy,becomes weak before the management 325 00:38:11,680 --> 00:38:15,880 or in matters of work- this is why it is necessary. 326 00:38:16,040 --> 00:38:23,280 We sit together and offer advice.It seems as if we have brotherhood between us. 327 00:38:24,560 --> 00:38:31,400 Did the company try to find a leader among you, 328 00:38:31,440 --> 00:38:35,920 and try to bribe him? 329 00:38:36,200 --> 00:38:39,520 They try this every time.This is their greatest quality. 330 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:44,320 Wherever there is a union- this is their greatest threat. 331 00:38:44,880 --> 00:38:47,200 Whenever the management spoke to us, we said, 332 00:38:47,320 --> 00:38:51,760 "We are all leaders. You can talk to who you want". 333 00:38:51,840 --> 00:38:54,640 That's why they had this problemthat if there is no leader, 334 00:38:54,760 --> 00:38:59,400 they have to talk to every worker. 335 00:38:59,480 --> 00:39:03,280 Whenever we had a meeting, also with the owner, 336 00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:10,120 - when he came in January 2006, we had 2-3 meetings -hi had his problem. 337 00:39:11,720 --> 00:39:17,640 Normally their first attempt isthat there should be 2,3,5 people. 338 00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:21,920 But there was nobody like that. 339 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:26,040 Whatever needed to be discussedshould be put in front of everybody. 340 00:39:26,120 --> 00:39:28,680 When 4-5 people talk, 341 00:39:28,840 --> 00:39:33,680 by bribing them they make an agreementas it suits them only, 342 00:39:33,760 --> 00:39:39,040 but we still are obliged to accept it.This is the biggest problem. 343 00:39:39,120 --> 00:39:42,960 They want over and overagain that we elect a leader, 344 00:39:43,280 --> 00:39:46,560 and they talk to us through a leader. 345 00:39:46,760 --> 00:39:51,960 Then they buy the leader with money,or by threatening or beating him 346 00:39:52,120 --> 00:39:56,240 in order to get an agreementthat suits the management only. 347 00:39:56,320 --> 00:40:01,200 Now if there are 50 people, no one is a leader, how should they threaten and frighten all 50 people? 348 00:40:01,800 --> 00:40:06,080 Two workers have been thrown out of the job, one since 8 months, another since 3 months. 349 00:40:06,400 --> 00:40:10,960 The company made false accusations against them;that they hit the supervisor. 350 00:40:11,160 --> 00:40:14,720 The workers are still being kept out. 351 00:40:15,720 --> 00:40:18,120 When these men had their struggle, I joined them. 352 00:40:18,200 --> 00:40:23,200 When they were successful, I joined them. 353 00:40:23,280 --> 00:40:26,320 I thought we would be fine with them. 354 00:40:26,440 --> 00:40:31,360 In the company, the management makes theyoung men work by putting pressure on them. 355 00:40:31,440 --> 00:40:33,960 But this does not happen to those who are united. 356 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:37,240 They work according to regulations- so I joined them. 357 00:40:37,320 --> 00:40:41,600 This made the company cross with me,so they accused me and threw me out. 358 00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:44,440 I have been out for 8 months now. 359 00:40:48,080 --> 00:40:51,480 You can come with us to the company. 360 00:40:51,640 --> 00:40:54,240 To do the work of grinding metal? 361 00:40:54,320 --> 00:40:58,080 No not to work, for the protest action.To make photos. 362 00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:01,320 But I cannot go inside. 363 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:04,160 No only till the gate. To show your support. 364 00:41:04,240 --> 00:41:07,240 It will make a big difference. 365 00:41:12,480 --> 00:41:14,480 At lunch time. 366 00:41:15,400 --> 00:41:18,400 Come at lunch time or at 9:00. 367 00:41:18,400 --> 00:41:22,400 Think about it.It will help us more than we get from the court. 368 00:41:29,240 --> 00:41:32,320 Wednesday at 13:00. 369 00:41:35,560 --> 00:41:42,280 We have to go from Gurgaon to Noida.There is a direct bus. 370 00:41:54,080 --> 00:42:04,600 Do the workers some time in Unistyle, say the piecerate is very low and we would like to have more? 371 00:42:04,680 --> 00:42:12,440 In 7 years, this is the only factory I have been towhere workers stop working, 372 00:42:12,520 --> 00:42:17,840 because they offer Rs. 10 per piece - we saythis is too little - and they will not increase it. 373 00:42:18,000 --> 00:42:23,680 So we stop work. Then through negotiations,they increase it by Rs. 1 or Rs. 2 or Rs. 4. 374 00:42:23,920 --> 00:42:29,560 When we see that this will give usRs. 200 - Rs. 250 more, we start working again. 375 00:42:29,800 --> 00:42:32,160 Recently they offered Rs. 28 for a piece. 376 00:42:32,240 --> 00:42:38,160 We stopped working so he increased itto Rs. 32, then offered Rs. 35. 377 00:42:38,240 --> 00:42:43,960 We still did not workso he eventually offered Rs.37. 378 00:42:44,600 --> 00:42:52,560 How did you make a decision between 50 people?Did you have a leader? 379 00:42:52,640 --> 00:42:55,760 No, there was no leader. There were 50 craftsmen. 380 00:42:56,120 --> 00:43:00,440 When it was lunchtime at 3 o'clock, all thecraftsmen went outside and talked with one another 381 00:43:00,600 --> 00:43:05,600 that the rate was low and it should be raisedotherwise we should stop working at 3:30. 382 00:43:05,960 --> 00:43:09,640 So everybody went inside and stopped working. 383 00:43:09,680 --> 00:43:12,640 When the supervisor asked us to work,we said "First increase the rate". 384 00:43:12,680 --> 00:43:14,800 There was no need for a leader. 385 00:43:15,400 --> 00:43:25,000 Would you like to say anything else? 386 00:43:25,160 --> 00:43:28,120 What should I say? 387 00:43:28,960 --> 00:43:33,600 If the worker unity happens we will see. 388 00:43:33,720 --> 00:43:37,600 This is a 5000 year old civilisation and itwill take time to get rid of this tradition. 389 00:43:37,640 --> 00:43:41,160 If not, then the political leaders will decide 390 00:43:41,240 --> 00:43:50,360 whether we get benefits or get shot. 391 00:43:54,880 --> 00:43:59,720 Is there a union in the factory? 392 00:44:00,400 --> 00:44:01,720 Union? 393 00:44:01,920 --> 00:44:07,720 Union- how do you say it? AITUC for example? 394 00:44:08,320 --> 00:44:12,960 AITUC? Ekta (Unity)! There is unity. 395 00:44:13,080 --> 00:44:16,040 If anybody puts pressure on us, 396 00:44:16,120 --> 00:44:18,920 then not one person alone, but everybody protests. 397 00:44:19,520 --> 00:44:22,840 If somebody shouts, we all answer back. 398 00:44:23,760 --> 00:44:26,800 We are all united. 399 00:44:52,640 --> 00:44:57,560 Questions regarding new forms of organizations,new methods of struggle are knocking at the door. 400 00:44:57,680 --> 00:45:03,360 In Gurgaon, it is not the talked aboutcases of Honda, Sunbeam, Rico Auto 401 00:45:03,480 --> 00:45:07,560 but rather the steps of 2,500 workershired through pro contractors in Delphi; 402 00:45:07,680 --> 00:45:15,880 sudden stoppage of work by 4,500 workers in thespare parts factory of Hero Honda in Gurgaon; 403 00:45:15,960 --> 00:45:22,360 stoppage of work by 3,000 workersin the Honda HMSI factory, 404 00:45:22,440 --> 00:45:27,640 employed by subcontractors 405 00:45:27,720 --> 00:45:37,200 stoppage of work by Eastern Medikitby casual workers on delay in wage payment. 406 00:45:37,480 --> 00:45:43,800 Workers are engaged in searching,making, forming, new paths. 407 00:45:45,040 --> 00:45:48,160 In these conditions, the questionbefore us is what all we should not do; 408 00:45:48,240 --> 00:45:52,760 what all we should do; how to go about it.